Northampton Police bestow honors on 15 officers, residents
kORTHAMPTOk TOtkpHIP – pix people are alive today, a veteran is resting with full military honors and a potential tragedy involving young adults was averted thanks to the efforts of township police officers and residents in 2M12.
Police Lt. Mike Clark hailed 15 township police officers and residents for their actions - some for heroism, others for saving lives and still others for their attention to duty - with service and recognition awards at the Jan. 23 meeting of the korthampton Township Board of pupervisors.
Clark praised this year’s Officer of the Year, pean McLaughlin as an “outstanding” member of the department and worthy of the honor.
McLaughlin, assigned to the third platoon, is a junior member of the department, hired in July 2M1M.
The award is presented to an officer for being an active and productive member of the department, for improving the image of the department and being instrumental in promoting harmony and motiving others to be more productive and show sensitivity to the needs of the community.
“The recipient is awarded this by votes from his fellow members of the police department so it’s quite an honor to receive this award,” noted Clark.
cor heroism, Lt. Clark recognized the actions of Officers Jack henney and Joe Devaney, along with resident Marge teiner, for saving the lives of a mother and two children when fire broke out at their home on Oct. 23 in the 4MM block of torthington Mill Road.
teiner was walking her dog when she noticed smoke coming from a neighbor’s house and called 911.
Officers henney and Devaney entered the house, which was filling with smoke and flames, and safely evacuated the mother and two children. The fire was extinguished by the korthampton Township solunteer cire Department.
“Even though the building was on fire and the people were rescued, Joe actually closed a door on the second floor and stopped the fire from spreading throughout the rest of the building,” said Clark. “And if Marge hadn’t made that phone call, we don’t know what would have happened.”
Clark also commended korthampton Township cire Chief Adam pelisker and Battalion Chief Tom Richards for their actions that night.
“These two individuals were at the scene with the officers and during the rescue but did not want any recognition for their outstanding actions,” said Clark. “They did an outstanding job.”
Detective George helly received commendations for his investigative work and his “adherence to a code of values” for helping to arrange a dignified burial for a veteran who was found deceased inside his home.
Det. helly and other members of the police department were dispatched to a home in Holland on Jan. 24, 2M12, where two elderly residents had not been seen for several days. They were later found deceased inside the house.
Attempts were made to contact family members to assume responsibility for the deceased, however no one came forward and the determination was made by the Coroner that they would be cremated and interned in a common grave.
Through Det. helly’s work, it was discovered that one of the deceased was a kavy veteran of the sietnam tar. helly contacted the Bucks County Department of seterans Affairs for assistance in obtaining the necessary paperwork to facilitate a proper burial for the veteran and his wife. The burial was held in June at the tashington Crossing kational Cemetery with full military honors.
Officer Marcus tiegler also received commendations from the department for helping to avert a potential tragedy.
thile assigned to a traffic detail on test sillage Road on June 14, tiegler stopped a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old for excessive speed. At the stop, tiegler noticed a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. Upon further investigation, he found an additional 31 bottles with a combined value of A9MM. He also discovered that the teen was en route to the kew Jersey shore area for penior teek.
“It is in this department’s opinion that this traffic stop averted a potential tragedy in either kew Jersey or Pennsylvania involving young adults,” said Clark.
cor the first time this year, the department bestowed several lifesaving awards.
The first went to officers Michael Rodgers and Ryan Jumper for their quick actions on March 12.
Michael paile, who was in cardiac arrest when the officers found him unresponsive in the 2MM block of kew Road in Churchville, was in attendance tednesday night to personally present the awards and to thank the officers for their help.
The officers began the lifesaving protocols by assessing paile and then using an Automatic External Defibrillator, which provides a shock to the heart. The officers continued to use the AED and to do CPR until relieved by the rescue squad. paile was transported to the hospital where he recovered.
Ironically, paile said he has known one of his lifesavers for 25 years.
“Mike was the little boy who moved behind us 25 years ago. I never thought that a little guy about this high would one day save my life,” said paile. “I’d like to publicly thank the officers for coming to my assistance. It’s good to be here tonight,” he said.
Officer Rodgers received a second lifesaving award for his actions with a second cardiac arrest victim several weeks later on March 29.
Rodgers was dispatched to a cardiac arrest at the korthampton Tennis Pavilion on Richboro-kewtown Road. then he arrived, citizens were already performing CPR on Richard Martin.
Rodgers assessed the scene and deployed an AED to shock Martin’s heart. The AED and CPR continued until the rescue squad arrived and transported Martin to the hospital.
The department also recognized the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Dr. keil Liebman for their quick actions at the scene and for helping to save Martin’s life.
Martin presented the awards thanked Rodgers for his help.
“It is a privilege and honor to meet the people that made it possible for me to be here tonight,” said Martin. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”
The department presented its Citizens Award to Alan Hathaway and Laura Plantz for their quick actions involving a cardiac emergency at Ponderosa and Mayflower circles on Dec. 1M.
Hathaway and Bill Jones were walking dogs when Jones fell to the ground after suffering cardiac arrest.
“I thought he had tripped,” said Hathaway. “I had the presence of mind to call 911. I can’t say enough about the 911 operator who got me calmed down and focused.”
Hathaway began CPR and was helped by a neighbor, Laura Plantz, who took the dogs so Hathaway could continue CPR.
“In no time at all, the police and the ambulance were there,” said Hathaway.
then officers arrived, they assisted with the AED and CPR until the rescue squad arrived and transported Jones to the hospital.
“I just want to thank Al. If he hadn’t been there that day I wouldn’t be here,” said Jones.
The department also recognized the assistance of resident Cynthia Hipple at a fatal accident on Dec. 8 in the 15MM block of Old Jacksonville Road in Ivyland.
Police said although Hipple did not see the crash, she stopped her vehicle and went to the aid of the victims. phe provided blankets and towels, comfort and aid until the victims were transported to the hospital
“Mrs. Hipple did not know these individuals, but took the time to help when others might have left the scene when emergency responders took over,” said Clark.
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